The Marrow of Tradition · Chapter
XVI: Ellis Takes a Trick explained
Major Carteret, Mrs.
What happens
Major Carteret, Mrs. Carteret, and Clara take a drive with Ellis, who is secretly in love with Clara. During the outing, Major Carteret expresses his disdain for the Black population and discusses white supremacy with General Belmont. Clara, expecting Tom Delamere, sends Ellis to find him. Ellis discovers Tom drunk in his hotel room and later drives the party home, receiving a kind word from Clara that gives him hope.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Privilege
Ellis's lack of family and means makes him an unsuitable match for Clara, highlighting class barriers.
Racial Injustice
Major Carteret's comments about teaching Black people a lesson reflect the pervasive racism and desire to maintain white supremacy.
Politics and Power
Major Carteret and General Belmont discuss strategies to suppress Black political and social power.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Ellis
Accompanies the Carterets on a drive; secretly in love with Clara; sent to find Tom Delamere; discovers Tom drunk.
- Major Carteret
Drives the trap; expresses anger at Black people's behavior; discusses white supremacy with General Belmont.
- Mrs. Carteret
Joins the drive; observes Clara's dislike for Ellis; wonders about Tom's whereabouts.
- Miss Clara Pemberton
Rides with the party; shows annoyance at Ellis's presence; asks Ellis to find Tom; thanks Ellis at the end.
- Tom Delamere
Expected to join the party; found drunk in his hotel room by Ellis.
- General Belmont
Joins Major Carteret in discussing how to keep Black people down.
Key passages
“The negroes around this town are becoming absolutely insufferable. They are sadly in need of a lesson in manners.”
Major Carteret complains that Black people are too bold and need to be taught to show deference to whites.
Reflects the white supremacist attitude that justifies violence and oppression.
“The next best thing, he reasoned, to having a woman love you, is to have her dislike you violently—the main point is that you should be kept in mind, and made the subject of strong emotions.”
Ellis thinks that being strongly disliked is almost as good as being loved, because at least she thinks about him.
Shows Ellis's romantic desperation and psychological reasoning.